Bicycle derailleur and method of controlling bicycle derailleur

ABSTRACT

A bicycle derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member, a motor unit, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the motor unit to rotate an output shaft of the motor unit at a first maximum voltage during a first shifting operation of the chain in a first shifting direction. The controller is configured to control the motor unit to rotate the output shaft of the motor unit at a second maximum voltage during a second shifting operation of the chain in a second shifting direction. The first maximum voltage is different from the second maximum voltage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bicycle derailleur and a method ofcontrolling the bicycle derailleur.

Discussion of the Background

A bicycle includes a derailleur configured to move a chain relative to aplurality of sprockets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a bicyclederailleur comprises a base member, a movable member, a motor unit, anda controller. The movable member is configured to be movably coupled tothe base member. The movable member is movable relative to the basemember from a second gear position to a first gear position to move achain in a first shifting direction. The movable member is movablerelative to the base member from the second gear position to the firstgear position to move the chain in a second shifting direction which isan opposite direction of the first shifting direction. The motor unit isconfigured to move the movable member relative to the base memberbetween the first gear position and the second gear position. Thecontroller is configured to control the motor unit to rotate an outputshaft of the motor unit at a first maximum voltage during a firstshifting operation of the chain in the first shifting direction. Thecontroller is configured to control the motor unit to rotate the outputshaft of the motor unit at a second maximum voltage during a secondshifting operation of the chain in the second shifting direction. Thefirst maximum voltage is different from the second maximum voltage.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the first aspect, it ispossible to differ the first maximum voltage and the second maximumvoltage based on the specification and/or the structure of the bicyclederailleur.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, the bicyclederailleur according to the first aspect is configured so that a gearratio is defined as a quotient obtained by dividing a total tooth numberof a bicycle front sprocket by a total tooth number of a bicycle rearsprocket. The gear ratio includes a first gear ratio and a second gearratio that is smaller than the first gear ratio. The gear ratio changesfrom the second gear ratio to the first gear ratio in the first shiftingoperation. The gear ratio changes from the first gear ratio to thesecond gear ratio in the second shifting operation. The first maximumvoltage is higher than the second maximum voltage.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the second aspect, it ispossible to increase or decrease the maximum voltage when the gear ratioincreases or decreases in the shifting operation.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, the bicyclederailleur according to the first aspect is configured so that a gearratio is defined as a quotient obtained by dividing a total tooth numberof a bicycle front sprocket by a total tooth number of a bicycle rearsprocket. The gear ratio includes a first gear ratio and a second gearratio that is smaller than the first gear ratio. The gear ratio changesfrom the second gear ratio to the first gear ratio in the first shiftingoperation. The gear ratio changes from the first gear ratio to thesecond gear ratio in the second shifting operation. The first maximumvoltage is lower than the second maximum voltage.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the third aspect, it ispossible to decrease the maximum voltage when the gear ratio increasesin the shifting operation.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, the bicyclederailleur according to any one of the first to third aspects isconfigured so that the motor unit is configured to move the movablemember relative to the base member in the first shifting operationwithout stopping the movable member. The motor unit is configured tomove the movable member relative to the base member in the secondshifting operation without stopping the movable member.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the fourth aspect, it ispossible to smooth the first shifting operation and the second shiftingoperation.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, the bicyclederailleur according to any one of the first to fourth aspects isconfigured so that the controller is configured to control electricpower supply to the motor unit at a first amount of electric power in astate where the motor unit moves the movable member relative to the basemember in the first shifting operation. The controller is configured tocontrol electric power supply to the motor unit at a second amount ofelectric power in a state where the motor unit moves the movable memberrelative to the base member in the second shifting operation. The firstamount of electric power is different from the second amount of electricpower.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the fifth aspect, it ispossible to differ the first amount of electric power and the secondamount of electric power based on the specification and/or the structureof the bicycle derailleur.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, the bicyclederailleur according to the fifth aspect is configured so that the firstamount of electric power is larger than the second amount of electricpower.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the sixth aspect, it ispossible to increase the first amount of electric power in the firstshifting operation and/or decrease the second amount of electric powerin the second shifting operation.

In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to the fifth aspect is configured so thatthe first amount of electric power is smaller than the second amount ofelectric power.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the seventh aspect, it ispossible to decrease the first amount of electric power in the firstshifting operation and/or increase the second amount of electric powerin the second shifting operation.

In accordance with an eighth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to any one of the first to seventh aspectsis configured so that the controller is configured to control the motorunit to move the movable member relative to the base member based ongear-region information related to a gear corresponding region definedbetween the first gear position and the second gear position. Thecontroller is configured to control the motor unit to adjust a positionof the movable member based on over-stroke information related to anover-stroke region. The over-stroke region includes a region which is atleast partly outside the gear corresponding region.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the eighth aspect, it ispossible to push the chain against a sprocket using the over-strokeregion. Thus, it is possible to facilitate the first shifting operationand/or the second shifting operation.

In accordance with a ninth aspect of the present invention, the bicyclederailleur according to any one of the first to eighth aspects isconfigured so that the controller is configured to control the motorunit to move the movable member at a third maximum voltage so as toadjust a position of the movable member based on gear-positioninformation of an additional derailleur which is a separate derailleurfrom the bicycle derailleur. The third maximum voltage is lower than thefirst maximum voltage.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the ninth aspect, it ispossible to adjust the third maximum voltage depending on a moving speedof a chain guide of the additional derailleur.

In accordance with a tenth aspect of the present invention, the bicyclederailleur according to the eighth aspect is configured so that thecontroller is configured to control the motor unit, if the gear-regioninformation satisfies a first adjustment condition, to move the movablemember relative to the base member in the first shifting direction by afirst adjustment distance. The controller is configured to control themotor unit to move the movable member relative to the base member in thesecond shifting direction by a first return distance after moving themovable member in the first shifting direction by the first adjustmentdistance. The first return distance is based on the over-strokeinformation.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the tenth aspect, it ispossible to reliably facilitate the first shifting operation.

In accordance with an eleventh aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to the eighth aspect is configured so thatthe controller is configured to control the motor unit, if thegear-region information satisfies a second adjustment condition, to movethe movable member relative to the base member in the second shiftingdirection by a second adjustment distance. The controller is configuredto control the motor unit to move the movable member relative to thebase member in the first shifting direction by a second return distanceafter moving the movable member in the second shifting direction by thesecond adjustment distance. The second return distance is based on theover-stroke information.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the eleventh aspect, it ispossible to reliably facilitate the second shifting operation.

In accordance with a twelfth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to any one of the first to eleventh aspectsis configured so that the controller is configured to change at leastone of the first maximum voltage and the second maximum voltage based onpower-source information relating to an electric power source configuredto supply electric power to the bicycle derailleur.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the twelfth aspect, it ispossible to save power consumption of the electric power sourcedepending on the state of the electric power source.

In accordance with a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to the twelfth aspect is configured so thatthe power-source information includes a remaining level of the electricpower source. The controller is configured to reduce higher one of thefirst maximum voltage and the second maximum voltage if the remaininglevel of the electric power source is lower than a remaining-levelthreshold.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the thirteenth aspect, it ispossible to save power consumption of the electric power source if theremaining level of the electric power source is lower than theremaining-level threshold.

In accordance with a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to the twelfth aspect is configured so thatthe power-source information includes a remaining level of the electricpower source. The controller is configured to reduce lower one of thefirst maximum voltage and the second maximum voltage if the remaininglevel of the electric power source is lower than the remaining-levelthreshold.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the fourteenth aspect, it ispossible to save power consumption of the electric power source if theremaining level of the electric power source is lower than theremaining-level threshold.

In accordance with a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to any one of the twelfth to fourteenthaspects is configured so that the power-source information includes aremaining level of the electric power source. The controller isconfigured to change at least one of the first maximum voltage and thesecond maximum voltage to vary a ratio of higher one of the firstmaximum voltage and the second maximum voltage to lower one of the firstmaximum voltage and the second maximum voltage depending on theremaining level of the electric power source.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the fifteenth aspect, it ispossible to save power consumption of the electric power source if theremaining level of the electric power source is lower than theremaining-level threshold.

In accordance with a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, a methodof controlling a bicycle derailleur comprises controlling a motor unitto move a movable member relative to a base member in a first shiftingdirection at a first maximum voltage, and controlling the motor unit tomove the movable member relative to the base member in a second shiftingdirection at a second maximum voltage different from the first maximumvoltage, the second shifting direction being an opposite direction ofthe first shifting direction.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the sixteenth aspect, it ispossible to differ the first maximum voltage and the second maximumvoltage based on the specification and/or the structure of the bicyclederailleur.

In accordance with a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, abicycle derailleur comprises a base member, a movable member, a motorunit, and a controller. The movable member is configured to be movablycoupled to the base member. The movable member is movable relative tothe base member from a second gear position to a first gear position tomove a chain in a first shifting direction. The movable member ismovable relative to the base member from the second gear position to thefirst gear position to move the chain in a second shifting directionwhich is an opposite direction of the first shifting direction. Themotor unit is configured to move the movable member relative to the basemember between the first gear position and the second gear position. Thecontroller is configured to control the motor unit to move the movablemember relative to the base member in the first shifting direction at afirst moving speed. The controller is configured to control the motorunit to move the movable member relative to the base member in thesecond shifting direction at a second moving speed different from thefirst moving speed.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the seventeenth aspect, it ispossible to differ the first moving speed and the second moving speedbased on the specification and/or the structure of the bicyclederailleur.

In accordance with an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to the seventeenth aspect is configured sothat a gear ratio is defined as a quotient obtained by dividing a totaltooth number of a bicycle front sprocket by a total tooth number of abicycle rear sprocket. The gear ratio includes a first gear ratio and asecond gear ratio that is smaller than the first gear ratio. The gearratio changes from the second gear ratio to the first gear ratio in thefirst shifting operation. The gear ratio changes from the first gearratio to the second gear ratio in the second shifting operation. Thefirst moving speed is higher than the second moving speed.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the eighteenth aspect, it ispossible to increase or decrease the moving speed when the gear ratioincreases or decreases in the shifting operation.

In accordance with a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to the seventeenth aspect is configured sothat a gear ratio is defined as a quotient obtained by dividing a totaltooth number of a bicycle front sprocket by a total tooth number of abicycle rear sprocket. The gear ratio includes a first gear ratio and asecond gear ratio that is smaller than the first gear ratio. The gearratio changes from the second gear ratio to the first gear ratio in thefirst shifting operation. The gear ratio changes from the first gearratio to the second gear ratio in the second shifting operation. Thefirst moving speed is lower than the second moving speed.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the nineteenth aspect, it ispossible to increase or decrease the moving speed when the gear ratioincreases or decreases in the shifting operation.

In accordance with a twentieth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to any one of the seventeenth to nineteenthaspects is configured so that the first moving speed is a moving speedat which the motor unit moves the movable member relative to the basemember in the first shifting direction without stopping the movablemember. The second moving speed is a moving speed at which the motorunit moves the movable member relative to the base member in the secondshifting direction without stopping the movable member.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the twentieth aspect, it ispossible to smooth the first shifting operation and the second shiftingoperation.

In accordance with a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to any one of the seventeenth to twentiethaspects is configured so that the controller is configured to controlthe motor unit to generate first output power in a state where the motorunit moves the movable member relative to the base member in the firstshifting direction at the first moving speed. The controller isconfigured to control the motor unit to generate second output power ina state where the motor unit moves the movable member relative to thebase member in the second shifting direction at the second moving speed.The second output power is different from the first output power.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the twenty-first aspect, it ispossible to differ the first output power and the second output powerbased on the specification and/or the structure of the bicyclederailleur.

In accordance with a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to any one of the seventeenth totwenty-first aspects is configured so that the controller is configuredto control electric power supply to the motor unit at a first amount ofelectric power in a state where the motor unit moves the movable memberrelative to the base member in the first shifting operation. Thecontroller is configured to control electric power supply to the motorunit at a second amount of electric power in a state where the motorunit moves the movable member relative to the base member in the secondshifting operation. The first amount of electric power is different fromthe second amount of electric power.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the twenty-second aspect, it ispossible to differ the first amount of electric power and the secondamount of electric power based on the specification and/or the structureof the bicycle derailleur.

In accordance with a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to the twenty-second aspect is configuredso that the first amount of electric power is larger than the secondamount of electric power.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the twenty-third aspect, it ispossible to increase the first amount of electric power in the firstshifting operation and/or decrease the second amount of electric powerin the second shifting operation.

In accordance with a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to the twenty-second aspect is configuredso that the first amount of electric power is smaller than the secondamount of electric power.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the twenty-fourth aspect, it ispossible to decrease the first amount of electric power in the firstshifting operation and/or increase the second amount of electric powerin the second shifting operation.

In accordance with a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to any one of the seventeenth totwenty-fourth aspects is configured so that the controller is configuredto control the motor unit to move the movable member relative to thebase member based on gear-region information related to a gearcorresponding region defined between the first gear position and thesecond gear position. The controller is configured to control the motorunit to adjust a position of the movable member based on over-strokeinformation related to an over-stroke region. The over-stroke regionincludes a region which is at least partly outside the gearcorresponding region.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the twenty-fifth aspect, it ispossible to push the chain against a sprocket using the over-strokeregion. Thus, it is possible to facilitate the first shifting operationand/or the second shifting operation.

In accordance with a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to any one of the seventeenth totwenty-fifth aspects is configured so that the controller is configuredto control the motor unit to move the movable member at a third movingspeed so as to adjust a position of the movable member based ongear-position information of an additional derailleur which is aseparate derailleur from the bicycle derailleur. The third moving speedis lower than the first moving speed.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the twenty-sixth aspect, it ispossible to adjust the third moving speed depending on a moving speed ofa chain guide of the additional derailleur.

In accordance with a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to the twenty-fifth aspect is configured sothat the controller is configured to control the motor unit, if thegear-region information satisfies a first adjustment condition, to movethe movable member relative to the base member at the first moving speedby a first adjustment distance. The controller is configured to controlthe motor unit to move the movable member relative to the base member atthe second moving speed by a first return distance after moving themovable member by the first adjustment distance. The first returndistance is based on the over-stroke information.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the twenty-seventh aspect, itis possible to reliably facilitate the first shifting operation.

In accordance with a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to the twenty-seventh aspect is configuredso that the first moving speed is higher than the second moving speed.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the twenty-eighth aspect, it ispossible to increase the first moving speed in the first shiftingoperation and/or decrease the second moving speed in the second shiftingoperation.

In accordance with a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to the twenty-seventh aspect is configuredso that the first moving speed is lower than the second moving speed.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the twenty-ninth aspect, it ispossible to decrease the first moving speed in the first shiftingoperation and/or increase the second moving speed in the second shiftingoperation.

In accordance with a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to any one of the twenty-fifth totwenty-ninth aspects is configured so that the controller is configuredto control the motor unit, if the gear-region information satisfies asecond adjustment condition, to move the movable member relative to thebase member at the second moving speed by a second adjustment distance.The controller is configured to control the motor unit to move themovable member relative to the base member at the first moving speed bya second return distance after moving the movable member by the secondadjustment distance. The second return distance is based on theover-stroke information.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the thirtieth aspect, it ispossible to reliably facilitate the second shifting operation.

In accordance with a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to the thirtieth aspect is configured sothat the first moving speed is higher than the second moving speed.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the thirty-first aspect, it ispossible to increase the first moving speed in the first shiftingoperation and/or decrease the second moving speed in the second shiftingoperation.

In accordance with a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to the thirtieth aspect is configured sothat the first moving speed is lower than the second moving speed.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the thirty-second aspect, it ispossible to decrease the first moving speed in the first shiftingoperation and/or increase the second moving speed in the second shiftingoperation.

In accordance with a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, thebicycle derailleur according to any one of the seventeenth tothirty-second aspects is configured so that a first direction operatingtime is defined from a timing at which the motor unit starts to move themovable member relative to the base member from the second gear positiontoward the first gear position in the first shifting direction to atiming at which the motor unit stops moving the movable member at thefirst gear position. A second direction operating time is defined from atiming at which the motor unit starts to move the movable memberrelative to the base member from the first gear position toward thesecond gear position in the second shifting direction to a timing atwhich the motor unit stops moving the movable member at the second gearposition. The first direction operating time is different from thesecond direction operating time.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the thirty-third aspect, it ispossible to differ the first direction operating time and the seconddirection operating time based on the specification and/or the structureof the bicycle derailleur.

In accordance with a thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, amethod of controlling a bicycle derailleur comprises controlling a motorunit to move a movable member relative to a base member in a firstshifting direction at a first moving speed, and controlling the motorunit to move the movable member relative to the base member in a secondshifting direction at a second moving speed different from the firstmoving speed, the second shifting direction being an opposite directionof the first shifting direction.

With the bicycle derailleur according to the thirty-fourth aspect, it ispossible to differ the first moving speed and the second moving speedbased on the specification and/or the structure of the bicyclederailleur.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bicycle including a bicyclederailleur in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the bicycle derailleur of thebicycle illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the bicycle derailleur illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bicycle derailleur illustrated inFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a motor unit of the bicycle derailleurillustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the motor unit of the bicyclederailleur illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of the bicycle illustrated in FIG.1.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of an additional derailleur of thebicycle illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing a shifting operation of the additionalderailleur illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing a shifting operation of the bicyclederailleur illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing a shifting operation of the bicyclederailleur illustrated in FIG. 2 (modification).

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a drive train of the bicycleillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing an adjustment operation of the bicyclederailleur illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing the adjustment operation of thebicycle derailleur illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing a ratio changing operation of thebicycle derailleur illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing an over-stroke operation of thebicycle derailleur illustrated in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The embodiment(s) will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designatecorresponding or identical elements throughout the various drawings.

As seen in FIG. 1, a bicycle 2 includes a bicycle derailleur 10 inaccordance with an embodiment. In the present embodiment, the bicycle 2includes a road bike. However, the bicycle 2 can include a mountainbike, a city bike, a tricycle, a cargo bike, a recumbent bike, or anytype of bicycles. In the present embodiment, the bicycle derailleur 10includes a front derailleur. However, the structure of the bicyclederailleur 10 can apply to other derailleurs such as a rear derailleur.

The bicycle 2 further includes a bicycle frame 2A, a saddle 2B, ahandlebar 2C, an operating device 3, an operating device 4, a drivetrain DT, and an electric power source PS. The operating devices 3 and 4are configured to be mounted to the handlebar 2C. The drive train DTincludes a crank CR, a front sprocket assembly FS, a rear sprocketassembly RS, a chain C, the bicycle derailleur 10, and a bicyclederailleur RD. The bicycle derailleur RD can also be referred to as anadditional derailleur RD.

The front sprocket assembly FS is secured to the crank CR and includes abicycle front sprocket FS1 and a bicycle front sprocket FS2. The bicyclefront sprocket FS1 has an outer diameter larger than an outer diameterof the bicycle front sprocket FS2. Thus, the bicycle front sprocket FS1can also be referred to as a larger sprocket FS1. The bicycle frontsprocket FS2 can also be referred to as a smaller sprocket FS2.

The rear sprocket assembly RS is rotatably mounted to the bicycle frame2A and a plurality of bicycle rear sprockets RS1 to RS7. The chain C isengaged with the front sprocket assembly FS and the rear sprocketassembly RS. The bicycle derailleur RD is mounted to the bicycle frame2A and is configured to shift the chain C relative to a plurality ofsprockets of the rear sprocket assembly RS to change a gear position.The bicycle derailleur 10 is configured to shift the chain C relative tothe bicycle front sprockets FS1 and FS2 of the front sprocket assemblyFS. The electric power source PS is configured to be mounted to thebicycle frame 2A. In the present embodiment, the electric power sourcePS is configured to be mounted on a down tube of the bicycle frame 2A.However, the electric power source PS can be configured to be mounted toother parts of the bicycle frame 2A such as a seat tube. The electricpower source PS can be configured to be directly mounted to otherdevices such as the bicycle derailleur 10 or RD.

The bicycle derailleur RD is configured to be operated using theoperating device 3. The bicycle derailleur 10 is configured to beoperated using the operating device 4. In the present embodiment, thebicycle derailleur RD is configured to be electrically connected to theoperating devices 3 and 4 through a wireless communication channel. Thebicycle derailleur RD is electrically connected to the electric powersource PS through an electric cable EC1 of an electric wiring structureEC. The bicycle derailleur 10 is electrically connected to the electricpower source PS through an electric cable EC2 of the electric wiringstructure EC. The electric power source PS is configured to supplyelectric power to the bicycle derailleurs 10 and RD through the electriccables EC1 and EC2. For example, the bicycle derailleurs 10 and RD andthe electric power source PS are configured to communicate with eachother using a power line communication (PLC). However, the bicyclederailleurs 10 and RD and the electric power source PS can be configuredto communicate with each other using other communication method such asa wireless communication. At least one of the operating devices 3 and 4can be configured to communicate with at least one of the bicyclederailleurs 10 and RD and the electric power source PS through a wiredcommunication channel.

In the present embodiment, the bicycle derailleur RD is configured towirelessly communicate with the operating devices 3 and 4. The bicyclederailleur RD is configured to receive control signals wirelesslytransmitted from each of the operating devices 3 and 4. The bicyclederailleur 10 is configured to communicate with the bicycle derailleurRD through the electric power source PS and the electric wiringstructure EC. The bicycle derailleur RD is configured to transmit,through the electric power source PS and the electric wiring structureEC to the bicycle derailleur 10, control signals wirelessly receivedfrom the operating device 4 by the bicycle derailleur RD.

However, the configuration of the bicycle 2 is not limited to the aboveconfiguration. For example, each of the bicycle derailleurs 10 and RDcan be configured to be electrically connected to the electric powersource PS through the electric wiring structure EC and an additionaldevice such as a junction box 6. Each of the bicycle derailleur RD andthe electric power source PS can be configured to be electricallyconnected to the bicycle derailleur 10 through the electric cables EC1and EC2 if the bicycle derailleur 10 includes a plurality of connectionports. Each of the bicycle derailleur 10 and the electric power sourcePS can be configured to be electrically connected to the bicyclederailleur RD through the electric cables EC1 and EC2 if the bicyclederailleur RD includes a plurality of connection ports. The bicyclederailleur 10 can be configured to be electrically connected to thebicycle derailleur RD through the electric cable EC1 or EC2 if theelectric power source PS is directly mounted to one of the bicyclederailleurs 10 and RD. Furthermore, the bicycle derailleur RD can beconnected to at least one of the operating devices 3 and 4 through anelectric cable without wireless communication. In addition, the bicyclederailleur 10 can be configured to be electrically connected to at leastone of the operating devices 3 and 4 through a wireless communicationchannel.

In the present application, the following directional terms “front,”“rear,” “forward,” “rearward,” “left,” “right,” “transverse,” “upward”and “downward” as well as any other similar directional terms refer tothose directions which are determined on the basis of a user (e.g., arider) who is in the user's standard position (e.g., on the saddle 2B ora seat) in the bicycle 2 with facing the handlebar 2C. Accordingly,these terms, as utilized to describe the bicycle derailleur 10 or othercomponents, should be interpreted relative to the bicycle 2 equippedwith the bicycle derailleur 10 as used in an upright riding position ona horizontal surface.

As seen in FIG. 2, the bicycle derailleur 10 comprises a base member 12.The base member 12 is configured to be mounted to the bicycle frame 2A.The bicycle derailleur 10 is configured to be coupled to the bicycleframe 2A with at least one of a mounting fastener 7 and a clamp 8. Thebicycle derailleur 10 is coupled to the clamp 8 with the mountingfastener 7. However, another mounting structure can apply to the bicyclederailleur 10 if needed and/or desired.

The bicycle derailleur comprises a movable member 14. The movable member14 is configured to be movably coupled to the base member 12. Themovable member 14 includes a chain guide 18. In a case where the bicyclederailleur is a rear derailleur, the movable member 14 includes amovable body and a chain guide pivotally coupled to the movable body.

As seen in FIG. 3, the chain guide 18 comprises a first guide member 18Aand a second guide member 18B. The first guide member 18A is configuredto guide the chain C in the first shifting direction D11. The secondguide member 18B is configured to guide the chain C in the secondshifting direction D12. The second guide member 18B is spaced apart fromthe first guide member 18A in the first shifting direction D11. Thesecond guide member 18B is coupled to the first guide member 18A.

The bicycle derailleur 10 comprises a linkage structure 20. The linkagestructure 20 is configured to movably couple the chain guide 18 to thebase member 12. The linkage structure 20 includes a first link member 22and a second link member 24. The first link member 22 is pivotallycoupled to the base member 12 about a first pivot axis PAL. The secondlink member 24 is pivotally coupled to the base member 12 about a secondpivot axis PA2. The first link member 22 is pivotally coupled to thechain guide 18 about a third pivot axis PA3. The second link member 24is pivotally coupled to the chain guide 18 about a fourth pivot axisPA4.

The linkage structure 20 includes a first link pin 26, a second link pin28, a third link pin 30, and a fourth link pin 32. The first link pin 26is configured to pivotally couple the first link member 22 to the basemember 12 about the first pivot axis PAL. The second link pin 28 isconfigured to pivotally couple the second link member 24 to the basemember 12 about the second pivot axis PA2. The third link pin 30 isconfigured to pivotally couple the first link member 22 to the chainguide 18 about the third pivot axis PA3. The fourth link pin 32 isconfigured to pivotally couple the second link member 24 to the chainguide 18 about the fourth pivot axis PA4.

The movable member 14 is movable relative to the base member 12 from asecond gear position P2 to a first gear position P1 to move the chain Cin a first shifting direction D11. The movable member 14 is movablerelative to the base member 12 from the second gear position P2 to thefirst gear position P1 to move the chain C in a second shiftingdirection D12. The second shifting direction D12 is an oppositedirection of the first shifting direction D11. The first gear positionP1 is a position corresponding to the larger sprocket FS1 (see, e.g.,FIG. 1) of the front sprocket assembly FS. The second gear position P2is a position corresponding to the smaller sprocket FS2 (see, e.g.,FIG. 1) of the front sprocket assembly FS. The chain guide 18 isconfigured to guide the chain C from the smaller sprocket FS2 to thelarger sprocket FS1 in the first shifting direction D11. The chain guide18 is configured to guide the chain C from the larger sprocket FS1 tothe smaller sprocket FS2 in the second shifting direction D12.

As seen in FIG. 1, a gear ratio is defined as a quotient obtained bydividing a total tooth number of the bicycle front sprocket FS1 or FS2by a total tooth number of the bicycle rear sprocket RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4,RS5, RS6, RS7, RS8, or RS7. The gear ratio includes a first gear ratioGR1 and a second gear ratio GR2 that is smaller than the first gearratio GR1. As seen in FIG. 3, the first gear position P1 of the movablemember 14 corresponds to the first gear ratio GR1. The second gearposition P2 of the movable member 14 corresponds to the second gearratio GR2. The gear ratio changes from the second gear ratio GR2 to thefirst gear ratio GR1 in the first shifting operation. The gear ratiochanges from the first gear ratio GR1 to the second gear ratio GR2 inthe second shifting operation.

As seen in FIG. 4, the bicycle derailleur 10 comprises a biasing member33. The biasing member 33 is configured to bias the chain guide 18 fromone of the second gear position P2 (see, e.g., FIG. 3) and the firstgear position P1 (see, e.g., FIG. 5) toward the other of the second gearposition P2 and the first gear position P1. In the present embodiment,the biasing member 33 is configured to bias the chain guide 18 from thesecond gear position P2 (see, e.g., FIG. 3) toward the first gearposition P1 (see, e.g., FIG. 3). However, the biasing member 33 can beconfigured to bias the chain guide 18 from the first gear position P1(see, e.g., FIG. 3) toward the second gear position P2 (see, e.g., FIG.3) if needed and/or desired.

As seen in FIG. 3, the bicycle derailleur 10 comprises a motor unit 34.The motor unit 34 is configured to move the movable member 14 relativeto the base member 12 between the first gear position P1 and the secondgear position P2. The motor unit 34 is configured to move the chainguide 18 relative to the base member 12 from the second gear position P2to the first gear position P1 in the first shifting direction D11. Themotor unit 34 is configured to move the chain guide 18 relative to thebase member 12 from the first gear position P1 to the second gearposition P2 in the second shifting direction D12.

The motor unit 34 is configured to apply rotational force to at leastone of the chain guide 18 and the linkage structure 20 to move the chainguide 18 relative to the base member 12. In the present embodiment, themotor unit 34 is configured to apply the rotational force to the linkagestructure 20 through the first link pin 26 to move the chain guide 18relative to the base member 12. The motor unit 34 is configured to applythe rotational force to the chain guide 18 through the first link pin 26and the linkage structure 20 to move the chain guide 18 relative to thebase member 12. However, the motor unit 34 can be configured to applythe rotational force to the chain guide 18 or both the chain guide 18and the linkage structure 20 if needed and/or desired.

As seen in FIG. 5, the motor unit 34 comprises a motor 35 and a gearstructure 36. The motor 35 is configured to generate the rotationalforce. Examples of the motor 35 include a direct-current (DC) motor anda stepper motor. However, the motor 35 can include other type of motor.

The gear structure 36 is configured to transmit the rotational force.The gear structure 36 includes a plurality of gears 38. The plurality ofgears 38 is configured to transmit the rotational force to the at leastone of the chain guide 18 and the linkage structure 20. In the presentembodiment, the plurality of gears 38 is configured to transmit therotational force to the linkage structure 20. The plurality of gears 38is configured to transmit the rotational force to the linkage structure20 through the first link pin 26. However, the plurality of gears 38 canbe configured to transmit the rotational force directly to the chainguide 18 or both the chain guide 18 and the linkage structure 20.

The motor unit 34 includes an output shaft 34A. The motor unit 34 isconfigured to rotate the output shaft 34A. The output shaft 34A iscoupled to the first link pin 26 to rotate along with the first link pin26. The plurality of gears 38 includes an output gear G10 secured to theoutput shaft 34A.

As seen in FIG. 6, the motor unit 34 includes a housing 40. The motor 35and the gear structure 36 are provided in the housing 40. The housing 40includes a first housing 42, a second housing 44, and a third housing45. The first housing 42 includes an accommodation space 42A. The motor35 and the gear structure 36 are provided in the accommodation space42A. The second housing 44 is attached to the first housing 42 to coveran end opening of the accommodation space 42A. The third housing 45 isattached to the first housing 42 to hold the second housing 44 betweenthe first housing 42 and the third housing 45. The first housing 42includes a first housing support part 42B. The second housing 44includes a second housing support part 44B. The first link pin 26 ispivotally supported by the first housing support part 42B and the secondhousing support part 44B.

As seen in FIG. 7, the bicycle derailleur 10 comprises a controller 50.The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move themovable member 14 relative to the base member 12 in response to acontrol signal transmitted from the operating device 4. The controller50 is electrically connected to the motor unit 34. The controller 50 andthe motor unit 34 are configured to be powered by the electric powersource PS separately provided from the bicycle derailleur 10. Thecontroller 50 is configured to communicate with the bicycle derailleurRD and the electric power source PS using the PLC through the electricwiring structure EC. However, the controller 50 can be configured towirelessly communicate with the bicycle derailleur RD and the electricpower source PS.

The bicycle derailleurs RD and 10 can be configured to wirelesslycommunicate with the operating devices 3 and 4 if electric power sourcesare directly mounted to the bicycle derailleurs RD and 10. Furthermore,the electric power source PS can be configured to be shared between atleast one of the bicycle derailleurs 10 and RD and devices other thanthe bicycle derailleurs 10 and RD, such as an assist driving unitconfigured to apply assist force to the drive train DT (see, e.g., FIG.1).

The bicycle derailleur 10 includes an electric port 51 to which theelectric wiring structure EC is detachably connected. The electric port51 is electrically connected to the controller 50.

The operating device 3 is configured to generate a first control signalCS11 in response to a first user input U11. The operating device 3 isconfigured to generate a second control signal CS12 in response to asecond user input U12. The operating device 3 is configured towirelessly transmit the first control signal CS11 in response to thefirst user input U11. The operating device 3 is configured to wirelesslytransmit the second control signal CS12 in response to the second userinput U12. For example, the operating device 3 includes a user interface(e.g., an electrical switch) and a communicator. Since the operatingdevice 3 includes structures which has been known in the bicycle field,they will not be described in detail here for the sake of brevity.

As seen in FIG. 8, the controller 50 is configured to control the motorunit 34 to move the chain guide 18 relative to the base member 12 fromthe second gear position P2 to the first gear position P1 in response tothe first control signal CS11. The controller 50 is configured tocontrol the motor unit 34 is configured to move the chain guide 18relative to the base member 12 from the first gear position P1 to thesecond gear position P2 in response to the second control signal CS12.

As seen in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the bicycle derailleur RDis configured to wirelessly communicate with the operating devices 3 and4. The bicycle derailleur RD is configured to wirelessly receive each ofthe first control signal CS11 and the second control signal CS12 fromthe operating device 3. The bicycle derailleur RD is configured totransmit each of the first control signal CS11 and the second controlsignal CS12 to the bicycle derailleur 10 through the electric wiringstructure EC. However, the bicycle derailleur 10 can be configured towirelessly receive each of the first control signal CS11 and the secondcontrol signal CS12 from the operating device 3.

The controller 50 includes a processor 50P, a memory 50M, a circuitboard 50C, and a system bus 50D. The processor 50P and the memory 50Mare electrically mounted on the circuit board 50C. The processor 50Pincludes a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory controller. Thememory 50M is electrically connected to the processor 50P. The memory50M includes a read only memory (ROM) and a random-access memory (RAM).The memory 50M includes storage areas each having an address in the ROMand the RAM. The processor 50P is configured to control the memory 50Mto store data in the storage areas of the memory 50M and reads data fromthe storage areas of the memory 50M. The memory 50M (e.g., the ROM)stores a program. The program is read into the processor 50P, andthereby the configuration and/or algorithm of the controller 50 isperformed.

The controller 50 includes a motor driver 52 and a communicator 54. Themotor driver 52 and the communicator 54 are electrically mounted on thecircuit board 50C. The motor 35, the motor driver 52, and thecommunicator 54 are electrically connected to each other through thecircuit board 50C and the system bus 50D. The motor driver 52 isconfigured to control the motor 35 in response to at least one of thefirst control signal CS11 and the second control signal CS12 transmittedfrom the operating device 3. The communicator 54 is configured toreceive the first control signal CS11 and the second control signal CS12from the operating device 3. The communicator 54 is configured totransmit and/or receive information to and/or from other devices usingthe PLC. The communicator 54 is configured to receive electric powerfrom the electric power source PS.

The communicator 54 is configured to separate input signals to a powersource voltage and control signals. The communicator 54 is configured toregulate the power source voltage to a level at which the controller 50can properly operate. The communicator 54 is configured to change thepower source voltage to a level at which the motor unit 34 moves themovable member 14. The communicator 54 is configured to change the powersource voltage to different levels at which the motor unit 34 moves themovable member 14. The communicator 54 is further configured tosuperimpose output signals such as the first control signal CS11 and thesecond control signal CS12 on the power source voltage applied to theelectric wiring structure EC from the electric power source PS. In thepresent embodiment, the communicator 54 includes a wired communicator.However, the communicator 54 can include a wireless communicator insteadof or in addition to the wired communicator.

The bicycle derailleur 10 further comprises a rotation sensor 56. Therotation sensor 56 is configured to sense a rotational position of oneof the plurality of gears 38 in the gear structure 36. The rotationsensor 56 is configured to sense a rotational position of one of theplurality of gears 38. The rotation sensor 56 is electrically mounted onthe circuit board 50C. The rotation sensor 56 is electrically connectedto the motor driver 52 and the communicator 54 through the circuit board50C and the system bus 50D.

As seen in FIG. 6, the plurality of gears 38 includes a sensor gear G8.The rotation sensor 56 is configured to sense a rotational position ofthe sensor gear G8. In the present embodiment, the rotation sensor 56includes an optical encoder. The rotation sensor 56 is configured toemit light to the sensor object 140 and configured to detect lightreflected by the sensor object 140. However, the rotation sensor 56 caninclude another sensor instead of or in addition to the optical encoder.The rotation sensor 56 can be omitted from the bicycle derailleur 10.The rotation sensor 56 can be configured to sense a rotational positionof another member provided in the motor unit 34.

As seen in FIG. 8, the additional derailleur RD includes a base memberRD1, a movable member RD2, a linkage structure RD3, a motor unit RD4,and a controller RD5. The base member RD1 is configured to be mounted tothe bicycle frame 2A. The movable member RD2 is movably coupled to thebase member RD1. The movable member RD2 includes a movable body RD21 anda chain guide RD22. The chain guide RD22 is pivotally coupled to themovable body RD21. The linkage structure RD3 is movably couple themovable member RD2 to the base member RD1. The motor unit RD4 isconfigured to move the movable member RD2 relative to the base memberRD1. The controller RD5 is configured to control the motor unit RD4 tomove the movable member RD2 relative to the base member RD1 in responseto a control signal transmitted from the operating device 4. Thecontroller RD5 includes a wireless communicator configured to wirelesslycommunicate with the operating devices 3 and 4. The controller RD5includes a position sensor configured to sense a current gear positionof the movable member 14 relative to the base member 12. The controllerRD5 is configured to transmit the current gear position to thecontroller 50 of the bicycle derailleur 10. The controller RD5 includingthe wireless communicator is provided inside the motor unit RD4.However, the controller RD5 can be provided in other positions outsidethe motor unit RD4.

The operating device 4 is configured to generate a first control signalCS21 in response to a first user input U21. The operating device 4 isconfigured to generate a second control signal CS22 in response to asecond user input U22. The operating device 4 is configured towirelessly transmit the first control signal CS21 in response to thefirst user input U21. The operating device 4 is configured to wirelesslytransmit the second control signal CS22 in response to the second userinput U22. For example, the operating device 4 includes a user interface(e.g., an electrical switch) and a communicator. Since the operatingdevice 4 includes structures which has been known in the bicycle field,they will not be described in detail here for the sake of brevity.

As seen in FIG. 9, the motor unit RD4 is configured to move the movablemember RD2 relative to the base member RD1 between adjacent two gearpositions of a plurality of gear positions P31 to P37 relative to thebase member RD1 in each of a first shifting direction D11 and a secondshifting direction D12. The second shifting direction D12 is an oppositedirection of the first shifting direction D11. The motor unit RD4 isconfigured to maintain the movable member RD2 in each the plurality ofgear positions P31 to P37 relative to the base member RD1. The pluralityof gear positions P31 to P37 corresponds to the plurality of bicyclerear sprockets RS1 to RS7 (see, e.g., FIG. 9).

As seen in FIG. 10, the controller 50 is configured to control the motorunit 34 to rotate the output shaft 34A (see, e.g., FIG. 5) of the motorunit 34 at a first maximum voltage MV1 during a first shifting operationof the chain in the first shifting direction D11. The controller 50 isconfigured to control the motor unit 34 to rotate the output shaft 34A(see, e.g., FIG. 5) of the motor unit 34 at a second maximum voltage MV2during a second shifting operation of the chain in the second shiftingdirection D12. The first maximum voltage MV1 is different from thesecond maximum voltage MV2. In the present embodiment, the first maximumvoltage MV1 is higher than the second maximum voltage MV2. As seen inFIG. 11, however, the first maximum voltage MV1 can be lower than thesecond maximum voltage MV2 if needed and/or desired.

As seen in FIG. 10, the controller 50 is configured to control the motorunit 34 to move the movable member 14 relative to the base member 12 inthe first shifting direction D11 at a first moving speed SP1. Thecontroller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move themovable member 14 relative to the base member 12 in the second shiftingdirection D12 at a second moving speed SP2. The second moving speed SP2is different from the first moving speed SP1. In the present embodiment,the first moving speed SP1 is higher than the second moving speed SP2.As seen in FIG. 11, however, the first moving speed SP1 can be lowerthan the second moving speed SP2.

As seen in FIG. 10, the motor unit 34 moves the movable member 14relative to the base member 12 in the first shifting operation withoutstopping the movable member 14. The first moving speed SP1 is a movingspeed at which the motor unit 34 moves the movable member 14 relative tothe base member 12 in the first shifting direction D11 without stoppingthe movable member 14.

The motor unit 34 moves the movable member 14 relative to the basemember 12 in the second shifting operation without stopping the movablemember 14. The second moving speed SP2 is a moving speed at which themotor unit 34 moves the movable member 14 relative to the base member 12in the second shifting direction D12 without stopping the movable member14.

The first moving speed SP1 and the second moving speed SP2 can becalculated based on a total travel time of the movable member 14 and atotal travel distance of the movable member 14. For example, the totaltravel time is a time defined from a timing at which the movable member14 starts to move to a timing at which the movable member 14 finallystops. The travel distance is a distance defined from a startingposition of the movable member 14 to a stop position of the movablemember 14. The first moving speed SP1 and the second moving speed SP2can be a moving speed of the movable member 14 at no load (e.g., withoutguiding the chain C).

The first moving speed SP1 and the second moving speed SP2 can be anaverage output speed of the motor unit 34. The output speed of the motorunit 34 is a rotational speed of the sensor gear G8 of the motor unit34. The first moving speed SP1 and the second moving speed SP2 can becalculated based on a rotation time and a rotational angle of the sensorgear G8 of the motor unit 34. For example, the rotation time is a timedefined from a timing at which the sensor gear G8 of the motor unit 34starts to rotate to a timing at which the sensor gear G8 of the motorunit 34 finally stops. The rotational angle is a total angle definedfrom a starting angle of the sensor gear G8 of the motor unit 34 to astop angle of the sensor gear G8 of the motor unit 34.

As seen in FIG. 10, a first direction operating time T1 is defined froma timing at which the motor unit 34 starts to move the movable member 14relative to the base member 12 from the second gear position P2 towardthe first gear position P1 in the first shifting direction D11 to atiming at which the motor unit 34 stops moving the movable member 14 atthe first gear position P1. A second direction operating time T2 isdefined from a timing at which the motor unit 34 starts to move themovable member 14 relative to the base member 12 from the first gearposition P1 toward the second gear position P2 in the second shiftingdirection D12 to a timing at which the motor unit 34 stops moving themovable member 14 at the second gear position P2. The first directionoperating time T1 is different from the second direction operating timeT2. In the present embodiment, the first direction operating time T1 isshorter than the second direction operating time T2. As seen in FIG. 11,however, the first direction operating time T1 can be longer than thesecond direction operating time T2.

As seen in FIG. 10, the controller 50 is configured to control electricpower supply to the motor unit 34 at a first amount of electric powerEP1 in a state where the motor unit 34 moves the movable member 14relative to the base member 12 in the first shifting operation. Thecontroller 50 is configured to control electric power supply to themotor unit 34 at a second amount of electric power EP2 in a state wherethe motor unit 34 moves the movable member 14 relative to the basemember 12 in the second shifting operation. The first amount of electricpower EP1 is different from the second amount of electric power EP2. Inthe present embodiment, the first amount of electric power EP1 is largerthan the second amount of electric power EP2. As seen in FIG. 11,however, the first amount of electric power EP1 can be smaller than thesecond amount of electric power EP2.

As seen in FIG. 10, the controller 50 is configured to control the motorunit 34 to generate first output power PW1 in a state where the motorunit 34 moves the movable member 14 relative to the base member 12 inthe first shifting direction D11 at the first moving speed SP1. Thecontroller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to generatesecond output power PW2 in a state where the motor unit 34 moves themovable member 14 relative to the base member 12 in the second shiftingdirection D12 at the second moving speed SP2. The second output powerPW2 is different from the first output power PW1. In the presentembodiment, the first output power PW1 is larger than the second outputpower PW2. Each of the first output power PW1 and the second outputpower PW2 includes an output torque of the motor 35 or the motor unit34. As seen in FIG. 11, however, the first output power PW1 can besmaller than the second output power PW2.

As seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, the method of controlling the bicyclederailleur 10 comprises controlling the motor unit 34 to move themovable member 14 relative to the base member 12 in the first shiftingdirection D1 i at the first maximum voltage MV1. The method ofcontrolling the bicycle derailleur 10 comprises controlling the motorunit 34 to move the movable member 14 relative to the base member 12 inthe first shifting direction D11 at the first moving speed SP1. Themethod of controlling the bicycle derailleur 10 comprises controllingthe motor unit 34 to move the movable member 14 relative to the basemember 12 in the first shifting direction D11 at the first amount ofelectric power EP1. The method of controlling the bicycle derailleur 10comprises controlling the motor unit 34 to move the movable member 14relative to the base member 12 in the first shifting direction D11 atthe first output power PW1.

The method of controlling the bicycle derailleur 10 comprisescontrolling the motor unit 34 to move the movable member 14 relative tothe base member 12 in the second shifting direction D12 at the secondmaximum voltage MV2 different from the first maximum voltage MV1. Themethod of controlling the bicycle derailleur 10 comprises controllingthe motor unit 34 to move the movable member 14 relative to the basemember 12 in the second shifting direction D12 at the second movingspeed SP2 different from the first moving speed SP1. The method ofcontrolling the bicycle derailleur 10 comprises controlling the motorunit 34 to move the movable member 14 relative to the base member 12 inthe second shifting direction D12 at the second amount of electric powerEP2. The method of controlling the bicycle derailleur 10 comprisescontrolling the motor unit 34 to move the movable member 14 relative tothe base member 12 in the second shifting direction D12 at the secondoutput power PW2.

As seen in FIG. 12, to reduce interference between the movable member 14and the chain C, the controller 50 is configured to control the motorunit 34 to move the movable member 14 so as to adjust a position of themovable member 14 based on gear-position information INF1 of theadditional derailleur RD. In the present embodiment, the gear-positioninformation INF1 of the additional derailleur RD includes a current gearposition of the additional derailleur RD among the plurality of gearpositions P31 to P37. The additional derailleur RD is configured totransmit the gear-position information INF1 to the bicycle derailleur 10upon the shifting operation of the additional derailleur RD.

The first gear position P1 includes a first initial gear position P11and a first adjustment gear position P12. The first initial gearposition P11 and the first adjustment gear position P12 are differentfrom each other. The first adjustment gear position P12 is providedbetween the first initial gear position P11 and the second gear positionP2. The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 tomaintain the movable member 14 in each of the first initial gearposition P11 and the first adjustment gear position P12.

The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move themovable member 14 from the first initial gear position P11 to the firstadjustment gear position P12 if the controller 50 concludes that thegear position of the additional derailleur RD is changed from the gearposition P36 to the gear position P37 based on the gear-positioninformation INF1. The controller 50 is configured to control the motorunit 34 to move the movable member 14 from the first adjustment gearposition P12 to the first initial gear position P11 if the controller 50concludes that the gear position of the additional derailleur RD ischanged from the gear position P37 to the gear position P36 based on thegear-position information INF1. The controller 50 is configured tocontrol the motor unit 34 to maintain the movable member 14 in the firstinitial gear position P11 if the controller 50 concludes that the gearposition of the additional derailleur RD is changed among the gearpositions P31 to P36 based on the gear-position information INF1.

The second gear position P2 includes a second initial gear position P21and a second adjustment gear position P22. The second initial gearposition P21 and the second adjustment gear position P22 are differentfrom each other. The second adjustment gear position P22 is providedbetween the second initial gear position P21 and the first gear positionP1. The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 tomaintain the movable member 14 in each of the second initial gearposition P21 and the second adjustment gear position P22.

The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move themovable member 14 from the second initial gear position P21 to thesecond adjustment gear position P22 if the controller 50 concludes thatthe gear position of the additional derailleur RD is changed from thegear position P32 to the gear position P31 based on the gear-positioninformation INF1. The controller 50 is configured to control the motorunit 34 to move the movable member 14 from the second adjustment gearposition P22 to the second initial gear position P21 if the controller50 concludes that the gear position of the additional derailleur RD ischanged from the gear position P31 to the gear position P32 based on thegear-position information INF1. The controller 50 is configured tocontrol the motor unit 34 to maintain the movable member 14 in thesecond initial gear position P21 if the controller 50 concludes that thegear position of the additional derailleur RD is changed among the gearpositions P32 to P37 based on the gear-position information INF1.

As seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, the controller 50 is configured to controlthe motor unit 34 to move the movable member 14 at a third maximumvoltage MV31 or MV32 so as to adjust the position of the movable member14 based on the gear-position information INF1 of the additionalderailleur RD which is a separate derailleur from the bicycle derailleur10. The third maximum voltage MV31 or MV32 is different from the firstmaximum voltage MV1 and the second maximum voltage MV2. In the presentembodiment, the third maximum voltage MV31 or MV32 is lower than thefirst maximum voltage MV1. The third maximum voltage MV31 or MV32 islower than the second maximum voltage MV2. The third maximum voltageMV31 is equal to the third maximum voltage MV32. However, the thirdmaximum voltage MV31 or MV32 can be equal to or higher than at least oneof the first maximum voltage MV1 and the second maximum voltage MV2. Thethird maximum voltage MV31 can be different from the third maximumvoltage MV32.

The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move themovable member 14 at a third moving speed SP31 or SP32 so as to adjustthe position of the movable member 14 based on the gear-positioninformation INF1 of the additional derailleur RD which is a separatederailleur from the bicycle derailleur 10. The third moving speed SP31or SP32 is different from the first moving speed SP1 and the secondmoving speed SP2. In the present embodiment, the third moving speed SP31or SP32 is lower than the first moving speed SP1. The third moving speedSP31 or SP32 is lower than the second moving speed SP2. The third movingspeed SP31 is equal to the third moving speed SP32. However, the thirdmoving speed SP31 or SP32 can be equal to or higher than at least one ofthe first moving speed SP1 and the second moving speed SP2. The thirdmoving speed SP31 can be different from the third moving speed SP32.

The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move themovable member 14 at a third amount of electric power EP31 or EP32 so asto adjust the position of the movable member 14 based on thegear-position information INF1 of the additional derailleur RD. Thethird amount of electric power EP31 or EP32 is different from the firstamount of electric power EP1 and the second amount of electric powerEP2. In the present embodiment, the third amount of electric power EP31or EP32 is smaller than the first amount of electric power EP1. Thethird amount of electric power EP31 or EP32 is smaller than the secondamount of electric power EP2. The third amount of electric power EP31 isequal to the third amount of electric power EP32. However, the thirdamount of electric power EP31 or EP32 can be equal to or larger than atleast one of the first amount of electric power EP2 and the secondamount of electric power EP2. The third amount of electric power EP31can be different from the third amount of electric power EP32.

The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move themovable member 14 at a third output power PW31 or PW32 so as to adjustthe position of the movable member 14 based on the gear-positioninformation INF1 of the additional derailleur RD. The third output powerPW31 or PW32 is different from the first output power PW1 and the secondoutput power PW2. In the present embodiment, the third output power PW31or PW32 is smaller than the first output power PW1. The third outputpower PW31 or PW32 is smaller than the second output power PW2. Thethird output power PW31 is equal to the third output power PW32.However, the third output power PW31 or PW32 can be equal to or largerthan at least one of the first output power PW1 and the second outputpower PW2. The third output power PW31 can be different from the thirdoutput power PW32.

As seen in FIG. 15, the controller 50 is configured to change at leastone of the first maximum voltage MV1 and the second maximum voltage MV2based on power-source information INF2 relating to the electric powersource PS configured to supply electric power to the bicycle derailleur10. For example, the power-source information INF2 includes a remaininglevel of the electric power source PS.

In the present embodiment, the controller 50 is configured to reducehigher one of the first maximum voltage MV1 and the second maximumvoltage MV2 if the remaining level of the electric power source PS islower than a remaining-level threshold LV. The controller 50 isconfigured to reduce lower one of the first maximum voltage MV1 and thesecond maximum voltage MV2 if the remaining level of the electric powersource PS is lower than the remaining-level threshold LV. The controller50 is configured to reduce the first maximum voltage MV1 if theremaining level of the electric power source PS is lower than theremaining-level threshold LV. The controller 50 is configured to reducethe second maximum voltage MV2 if the remaining level of the electricpower source PS is lower than the remaining-level threshold LV.

For example, the controller 50 is configured to change at least one ofthe first maximum voltage MV1 and the second maximum voltage MV2 to varya ratio RV of higher one of the first maximum voltage MV1 and the secondmaximum voltage MV2 to lower one of the first maximum voltage MV1 andthe second maximum voltage MV2 depending on the remaining level of theelectric power source PS.

In the present embodiment, the controller 50 is configured to change atleast one of the first maximum voltage MV1 and the second maximumvoltage MV2 to vary the ratio RV of the first maximum voltage MV1 to thesecond maximum voltage MV2 depending on the remaining level of theelectric power source PS. The controller 50 is configured to change thefirst maximum voltage MV1 and the second maximum voltage MV2 to vary theratio RV of the first maximum voltage MV1 to the second maximum voltageMV2 depending on the remaining level of the electric power source PS.The controller 50 is configured to decrease the first maximum voltageMV1 and the second maximum voltage MV2 to change the ratio RV of thefirst maximum voltage MV1 to the second maximum voltage MV2 from aninitial ratio RV1 to a predetermined ratio RV2 if the remaining level ofthe electric power source PS is lower than the remaining-level thresholdLV. The controller 50 is configured to increase the first maximumvoltage MV1 and the second maximum voltage MV2 to change the ratio RV ofthe first maximum voltage MV1 to the second maximum voltage MV2 from thepredetermined ratio RV2 to the initial ratio RV1 if the remaining levelof the electric power source PS is equal to or higher than theremaining-level threshold LV (e.g., when the electric power source PS ischarged). However, the controller 50 can be configured to change onlyone of the first maximum voltage MV1 and the second maximum voltage MV2to vary a ratio of the second maximum voltage MV2 to the first maximumvoltage MV1 depending on the remaining level of the electric powersource PS.

As with the first maximum voltage MV1 and the second maximum voltageMV2, the controller 50 can be configured to change at least one of thefirst moving speed SP1 and the second moving speed SP2 to vary a ratioRV of higher one of the first moving speed SP1 and the second movingspeed SP2 to lower one of the first moving speed SP1 and the secondmoving speed SP2 depending on the remaining level of the electric powersource PS. The controller 50 can be configured to change at least one ofthe first amount of electric power EP1 and the second amount of electricpower EP2 to vary a ratio RV of higher one of the first amount ofelectric power EP1 and the second amount of electric power EP2 to lowerone of the first amount of electric power EP1 and the second amount ofelectric power EP2 depending on the remaining level of the electricpower source PS. The controller 50 can be configured to change at leastone of the first output power PW1 and the second output power PW2 tovary a ratio RV of higher one of the first output power PW1 and thesecond output power PW2 to lower one of the first output power PW1 andthe second output power PW2 depending on the remaining level of theelectric power source PS.

As seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, in a normal mode, the controller 50 isconfigured to control the motor unit 34 to move the movable member 14relative to the base member 12 based on gear-region information relatedto a gear corresponding region RG1 defined between the first gearposition P1 and the second gear position P2. In the normal mode, thecontroller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move themovable member 14 from the second gear position P2 to the first gearposition P1 in response to the first control signal CS11 if the movablemember 14 is in the second gear position P2. The controller 50 isconfigured to control the motor unit 34 to maintain the movable member14 in the second gear position P2 in response to the second controlsignal CS12 if the movable member 14 is in the second gear position P2.The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move themovable member 14 from the first gear position P1 to the second gearposition P2 in response to the second control signal CS12 if the movablemember 14 is in the first gear position P1. The controller 50 isconfigured to control the motor unit 34 to maintain the movable member14 from the first gear position P1 in response to the first controlsignal CS11 if the movable member 14 is in the first gear position P1.

As seen in FIG. 16, the controller 50 has an over-stroke mode tofacilitate the first and second shifting operations. For example, theoperating device 3 or 4 (see, e.g., FIG. 7) includes a mode selectinterface with which the user can select the mode of the controller 50between the normal mode and the over-stroke mode. In the over-strokemode, the controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 toadjust a position of the movable member 14 based on over-strokeinformation related to an over-stroke region RG21 or RG22. Theover-stroke region RG21 or RG22 includes a region which is at leastpartly outside the gear corresponding region RG1. The over-stroke regionRG21 includes a first over-stroke position P41. The over-stroke regionRG22 includes a second over-stroke position P42. The first over-strokeposition P41 and the second over-stroke position P42 are providedoutside the gear corresponding region RG1. The first gear position P1and the second gear position P2 are provided between the firstover-stroke position P41 and the second over-stroke position P42.

In the over-stroke mode, the controller 50 is configured to control themotor unit 34, if the gear-region information satisfies a firstadjustment condition, to move the movable member 14 relative to the basemember 12 in the first shifting direction D11 by a first adjustmentdistance DS11. In the present embodiment, the first adjustment conditionincludes a condition where the movable member 14 reaches the first gearposition P1. Thus, if the movable member 14 reaches the first gearposition P1 in the first shifting operation, the controller 50 isconfigured to control the motor unit 34 to move the movable member 14relative to the base member 12 from the first gear position P1 to thefirst over-stroke position P41 in the first shifting direction D11 bythe first adjustment distance DS11. Namely, in the over-stroke mode, thecontroller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to continuouslymove the movable member 14 from the second gear position P2 to the firstover-stroke position P41 in the first shifting direction D11. The firstadjustment distance DS11 is defined between the first gear position P1and the first over-stroke position P41.

The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move themovable member 14 relative to the base member 12 in the second shiftingdirection D12 by a first return distance DS12 after moving the movablemember 14 in the first shifting direction D11 by the first adjustmentdistance DS11. The first return distance DS12 is based on theover-stroke information. The first return distance DS12 is definedbetween the first gear position P1 and the first over-stroke positionP41.

In the present embodiment, the controller 50 is configured to controlthe motor unit 34, if the gear-region information satisfies the firstadjustment condition, to move the movable member 14 relative to the basemember 12 at the first maximum voltage MV1 by the first adjustmentdistance DS11. The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit34 to move the movable member 14 relative to the base member 12 at thesecond maximum voltage MV2 by the first return distance DS12 aftermoving the movable member 14 at the first maximum voltage MV1 by thefirst adjustment distance DS11.

The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34, if thegear-region information satisfies the first adjustment condition, tomove the movable member 14 relative to the base member 12 at the firstmoving speed SP1 by the first adjustment distance DS1. The controller 50is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move the movable member 14relative to the base member 12 at the second moving speed SP2 by thefirst return distance DS12 after moving the movable member 14 by thefirst adjustment distance DS11.

The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34, if thegear-region information satisfies the first adjustment condition, tomove the movable member 14 relative to the base member 12 at the firstamount of electric power EP1 by the first adjustment distance DS11. Thecontroller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move themovable member 14 relative to the base member 12 at the second amount ofelectric power EP2 by the first return distance DS12 after moving themovable member 14 at the first amount of electric power EP1 by the firstadjustment distance DS11.

The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34, if thegear-region information satisfies the first adjustment condition, tomove the movable member 14 relative to the base member 12 at the firstoutput power PW1 by the first adjustment distance DS11. The controller50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move the movable member14 relative to the base member 12 at the second output power PW2 by thefirst return distance DS12 after moving the movable member 14 at thefirst output power PW1 by the first adjustment distance DS11.

In the present embodiment, the controller 50 is configured to controlthe motor unit 34 to move the movable member 14 relative to the basemember 12 by the first adjustment distance DS11 under the same condition(e.g., the first maximum voltage MV1, the first moving speed SP1, thefirst amount of electric power EP1, and the first output power PW1) asthe condition of the first shifting operation in the normal mode.However, the controller 50 can be configured to control the motor unit34 to move the movable member 14 relative to the base member 12 by thefirst adjustment distance DS11 under a different condition from thecondition of the first shifting operation in the normal mode.

The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move themovable member 14 relative to the base member 12 by the first returndistance DS12 under the same condition (e.g., the second maximum voltageMV2, the second moving speed SP2, the second amount of electric powerEP2, and the second output power PW2) as the condition of the secondshifting operation in the normal mode. However, the controller 50 can beconfigured to control the motor unit 34 to move the movable member 14relative to the base member 12 by the first return distance DS12 under adifferent condition from the condition of the second shifting operationin the normal mode.

As seen in FIG. 16, the controller 50 is configured to control the motorunit 34, if the gear-region information satisfies a second adjustmentcondition, to move the movable member 14 relative to the base member 12in the second shifting direction D12 by a second adjustment distanceDS21. In the present embodiment, the second adjustment conditionincludes a condition where the movable member 14 reaches the second gearposition P2. Thus, if the movable member 14 reaches the second gearposition P2 in the second shifting operation, the controller 50 isconfigured to control the motor unit 34 to move the movable member 14relative to the base member 12 from the second gear position P2 to thesecond over-stroke position P42 in the second shifting direction D12 bythe second adjustment distance DS21. Namely, in the over-stroke mode,the controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 tocontinuously move the movable member 14 from the first gear position P1to the second over-stroke position P42 in the second shifting directionD12. The second adjustment distance DS21 is defined between the secondgear position P2 and the second over-stroke position P42.

The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move themovable member 14 relative to the base member 12 in the first shiftingdirection D11 by a second return distance DS22 after moving the movablemember 14 in the second shifting direction D12 by the second adjustmentdistance DS21. The second return distance DS22 is based on theover-stroke information. The second return distance DS22 is definedbetween the second gear position P2 and the second over-stroke positionP42.

In the present embodiment, the controller 50 is configured to controlthe motor unit 34, if the gear-region information satisfies the secondadjustment condition, to move the movable member 14 relative to the basemember 12 at the second maximum voltage MV2 by the second adjustmentdistance DS21. The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit34 to move the movable member 14 relative to the base member 12 at thefirst maximum voltage MV1 by the second return distance DS22 aftermoving the movable member 14 at the second maximum voltage MV2 by thesecond adjustment distance DS21.

The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34, if thegear-region information satisfies the second adjustment condition, tomove the movable member 14 relative to the base member 12 at the secondmoving speed SP2 by the second adjustment distance DS21. The controller50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move the movable member14 relative to the base member 12 at the first moving speed SP1 by thesecond return distance DS22 after moving the movable member 14 by thesecond adjustment distance DS21.

The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34, if thegear-region information satisfies the second adjustment condition, tomove the movable member 14 relative to the base member 12 at the secondamount of electric power EP2 by the second adjustment distance DS21. Thecontroller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move themovable member 14 relative to the base member 12 at the first amount ofelectric power EP1 by the second return distance DS22 after moving themovable member 14 at the second amount of electric power EP2 by thesecond adjustment distance DS21.

The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34, if thegear-region information satisfies the second adjustment condition, tomove the movable member 14 relative to the base member 12 at the secondoutput power PW2 by the second adjustment distance DS21. The controller50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move the movable member14 relative to the base member 12 at the first output power PW1 by thesecond return distance DS22 after moving the movable member 14 at thesecond output power PW2 by the second adjustment distance DS21.

In the present embodiment, the controller 50 is configured to controlthe motor unit 34 to move the movable member 14 relative to the basemember 12 by the second adjustment distance DS21 under the samecondition (e.g., the second maximum voltage MV2, the second moving speedSP2, the second amount of electric power EP2, and the second outputpower PW2) as the condition of the second shifting operation in thenormal mode. However, the controller 50 can be configured to control themotor unit 34 to move the movable member 14 relative to the base member12 by the second adjustment distance DS21 under a different conditionfrom the condition of the second shifting operation in the normal mode.

The controller 50 is configured to control the motor unit 34 to move themovable member 14 relative to the base member 12 by the second returndistance DS22 under the same condition (e.g., the first maximum voltageMV1, the first moving speed SP1, the first amount of electric power EP1,and the first output power PW1) as the condition of the first shiftingoperation in the normal mode. However, the controller 50 can beconfigured to control the motor unit 34 to move the movable member 14relative to the base member 12 by the second return distance DS22 undera different condition from the condition of the first shifting operationin the normal mode.

The structures of the bicycle derailleur 10 can apply to the bicyclederailleur RD, a gear box, or other derailleurs. In other derailleurs,as seen in FIG. 3, the same relationship between the gear ratio GR1 orGR2 and the moving direction of the movable member 14.

In the present application, the term “comprising” and its derivatives,as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify thepresence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers,and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstatedfeatures, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. Thisconcept also applies to words of similar meaning, for example, the terms“have,” “include” and their derivatives.

The terms “member,” “section,” “portion,” “part,” “element,” “body” and“structure” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts.

The ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” recited in the presentapplication are merely identifiers, but do not have any other meanings,for example, a particular order and the like. Moreover, for example, theterm “first element” itself does not imply an existence of “secondelement,” and the term “second element” itself does not imply anexistence of “first element.”

The term “pair of,” as used herein, can encompass the configuration inwhich the pair of elements have different shapes or structures from eachother in addition to the configuration in which the pair of elementshave the same shapes or structures as each other.

The terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be usedinterchangeably herein.

The phrase “at least one of” as used in this disclosure means “one ormore” of a desired choice. For one example, the phrase “at least one of”as used in this disclosure means “only one single choice” or “both oftwo choices” if the number of its choices is two. For other example, thephrase “at least one of” as used in this disclosure means “only onesingle choice” or “any combination of equal to or more than two choices”if the number of its choices is equal to or more than three. Forinstance, the phrase “at least one of A and B” encompasses (1) A alone,(2), B alone, and (3) both A and B. The phrase “at least one of A, B,and C” encompasses (1) A alone, (2), B alone, (3) C alone, (4) both Aand B, (5) both B and C, (6) both A and C, and (7) all A, B, and C. Inother words, the phrase “at least one of A and B” does not mean “atleast one of A and at least one of B” in this disclosure.

Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially,” “about” and“approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation ofthe modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.All of numerical values described in the present application can beconstrued as including the terms such as “substantially,” “about” and“approximately.”

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bicycle derailleur comprising: a base member; amovable member configured to be movably coupled to the base member, themovable member being movable relative to the base member from a secondgear position to a first gear position to move a chain in a firstshifting direction, the movable member being movable relative to thebase member from the second gear position to the first gear position tomove the chain in a second shifting direction which is an oppositedirection of the first shifting direction; a motor unit configured tomove the movable member relative to the base member between the firstgear position and the second gear position; and a controller configuredto control the motor unit to rotate an output shaft of the motor unit ata first maximum voltage during a first shifting operation of the chainin the first shifting direction, the controller being configured tocontrol the motor unit to rotate the output shaft of the motor unit at asecond maximum voltage during a second shifting operation of the chainin the second shifting direction, the first maximum voltage beingdifferent from the second maximum voltage.
 2. The bicycle derailleuraccording to claim 1, wherein a gear ratio is defined as a quotientobtained by dividing a total tooth number of a bicycle front sprocket bya total tooth number of a bicycle rear sprocket, the gear ratio includesa first gear ratio and a second gear ratio that is smaller than thefirst gear ratio, the gear ratio changes from the second gear ratio tothe first gear ratio in the first shifting operation, the gear ratiochanges from the first gear ratio to the second gear ratio in the secondshifting operation, and the first maximum voltage is higher than thesecond maximum voltage.
 3. The bicycle derailleur according to claim 1,wherein a gear ratio is defined as a quotient obtained by dividing atotal tooth number of a bicycle front sprocket by a total tooth numberof a bicycle rear sprocket, the gear ratio includes a first gear ratioand a second gear ratio that is smaller than the first gear ratio, thegear ratio changes from the second gear ratio to the first gear ratio inthe first shifting operation, the gear ratio changes from the first gearratio to the second gear ratio in the second shifting operation, and thefirst maximum voltage is lower than the second maximum voltage.
 4. Thebicycle derailleur according to claim 1, wherein the motor unit isconfigured to move the movable member relative to the base member in thefirst shifting operation without stopping the movable member, and themotor unit is configured to move the movable member relative to the basemember in the second shifting operation without stopping the movablemember.
 5. The bicycle derailleur according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to control electric power supply to the motorunit at a first amount of electric power in a state where the motor unitmoves the movable member relative to the base member in the firstshifting operation, the controller is configured to control electricpower supply to the motor unit at a second amount of electric power in astate where the motor unit moves the movable member relative to the basemember in the second shifting operation, and the first amount ofelectric power is different from the second amount of electric power. 6.The bicycle derailleur according to claim 5, wherein the first amount ofelectric power is larger than the second amount of electric power. 7.The bicycle derailleur according to claim 5, wherein the first amount ofelectric power is smaller than the second amount of electric power. 8.The bicycle derailleur according to claim 1, wherein the controller isconfigured to control the motor unit to move the movable member relativeto the base member based on gear-region information related to a gearcorresponding region defined between the first gear position and thesecond gear position, and the controller is configured to control themotor unit to adjust a position of the movable member based onover-stroke information related to an over-stroke region, and theover-stroke region includes a region which is at least partly outsidethe gear corresponding region.
 9. The bicycle derailleur according toclaim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor unitto move the movable member at a third maximum voltage so as to adjust aposition of the movable member based on gear-position information of anadditional derailleur which is a separate derailleur from the bicyclederailleur, and the third maximum voltage is lower than the firstmaximum voltage.
 10. The bicycle derailleur according to claim 8,wherein the controller is configured to control the motor unit, if thegear-region information satisfies a first adjustment condition, to movethe movable member relative to the base member in the first shiftingdirection by a first adjustment distance, and the controller isconfigured to control the motor unit to move the movable member relativeto the base member in the second shifting direction by a first returndistance after moving the movable member in the first shifting directionby the first adjustment distance, and the first return distance is basedon the over-stroke information.
 11. The bicycle derailleur according toclaim 8, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor unit,if the gear-region information satisfies a second adjustment condition,to move the movable member relative to the base member in the secondshifting direction by a second adjustment distance, and the controlleris configured to control the motor unit to move the movable memberrelative to the base member in the first shifting direction by a secondreturn distance after moving the movable member in the second shiftingdirection by the second adjustment distance, and the second returndistance is based on the over-stroke information.
 12. The bicyclederailleur according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured tochange at least one of the first maximum voltage and the second maximumvoltage based on power-source information relating to an electric powersource configured to supply electric power to the bicycle derailleur.13. The bicycle derailleur according to claim 12, wherein thepower-source information includes a remaining level of the electricpower source, and the controller is configured to reduce higher one ofthe first maximum voltage and the second maximum voltage if theremaining level of the electric power source is lower than aremaining-level threshold.
 14. The bicycle derailleur according to claim12, wherein the power-source information includes a remaining level ofthe electric power source, and the controller is configured to reducelower one of the first maximum voltage and the second maximum voltage ifthe remaining level of the electric power source is lower than theremaining-level threshold.
 15. The bicycle derailleur according to claim12, wherein the power-source information includes a remaining level ofthe electric power source, and the controller is configured to change atleast one of the first maximum voltage and the second maximum voltage tovary a ratio of higher one of the first maximum voltage and the secondmaximum voltage to lower one of the first maximum voltage and the secondmaximum voltage depending on the remaining level of the electric powersource.
 16. A method of controlling a bicycle derailleur, comprising:controlling a motor unit to move a movable member relative to a basemember in a first shifting direction at a first maximum voltage; andcontrolling the motor unit to move the movable member relative to thebase member in a second shifting direction at a second maximum voltagedifferent from the first maximum voltage, the second shifting directionbeing an opposite direction of the first shifting direction.
 17. Abicycle derailleur comprising: a base member; a movable memberconfigured to be movably coupled to the base member, the movable memberbeing movable relative to the base member from a second gear position toa first gear position to move a chain in a first shifting direction, themovable member being movable relative to the base member from the secondgear position to the first gear position to move the chain in a secondshifting direction which is an opposite direction of the first shiftingdirection; a motor unit configured to move the movable member relativeto the base member between the first gear position and the second gearposition; and a controller configured to control the motor unit to movethe movable member relative to the base member in the first shiftingdirection at a first moving speed, the controller being configured tocontrol the motor unit to move the movable member relative to the basemember in the second shifting direction at a second moving speeddifferent from the first moving speed.
 18. The bicycle derailleuraccording to claim 17, wherein a gear ratio is defined as a quotientobtained by dividing a total tooth number of a bicycle front sprocket bya total tooth number of a bicycle rear sprocket, the gear ratio includesa first gear ratio and a second gear ratio that is smaller than thefirst gear ratio, the gear ratio changes from the second gear ratio tothe first gear ratio in the first shifting operation, the gear ratiochanges from the first gear ratio to the second gear ratio in the secondshifting operation, and the first moving speed is higher than the secondmoving speed.
 19. The bicycle derailleur according to claim 17, whereina gear ratio is defined as a quotient obtained by dividing a total toothnumber of a bicycle front sprocket by a total tooth number of a bicyclerear sprocket, the gear ratio includes a first gear ratio and a secondgear ratio that is smaller than the first gear ratio, the gear ratiochanges from the second gear ratio to the first gear ratio in the firstshifting operation, the gear ratio changes from the first gear ratio tothe second gear ratio in the second shifting operation, and the firstmoving speed is lower than the second moving speed.
 20. The bicyclederailleur according to claim 17, wherein the first moving speed is amoving speed at which the motor unit moves the movable member relativeto the base member in the first shifting direction without stopping themovable member, and the second moving speed is a moving speed at whichthe motor unit moves the movable member relative to the base member inthe second shifting direction without stopping the movable member. 21.The bicycle derailleur according to claim 17, wherein the controller isconfigured to control the motor unit to generate first output power in astate where the motor unit moves the movable member relative to the basemember in the first shifting direction at the first moving speed, thecontroller is configured to control the motor unit to generate secondoutput power in a state where the motor unit moves the movable memberrelative to the base member in the second shifting direction at thesecond moving speed, and the second output power is different from thefirst output power.
 22. The bicycle derailleur according to claim 17,wherein the controller is configured to control electric power supply tothe motor unit at a first amount of electric power in a state where themotor unit moves the movable member relative to the base member in thefirst shifting operation, the controller is configured to controlelectric power supply to the motor unit at a second amount of electricpower in a state where the motor unit moves the movable member relativeto the base member in the second shifting operation, and the firstamount of electric power is different from the second amount of electricpower.
 23. The bicycle derailleur according to claim 22, wherein thefirst amount of electric power is larger than the second amount ofelectric power.
 24. The bicycle derailleur according to claim 22,wherein the first amount of electric power is smaller than the secondamount of electric power.
 25. The bicycle derailleur according to claim17, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor unit tomove the movable member relative to the base member based on gear-regioninformation related to a gear corresponding region defined between thefirst gear position and the second gear position, and the controller isconfigured to control the motor unit to adjust a position of the movablemember based on over-stroke information related to an over-strokeregion, and the over-stroke region includes a region which is at leastpartly outside the gear corresponding region.
 26. The bicycle derailleuraccording to claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to controlthe motor unit to move the movable member at a third moving speed so asto adjust a position of the movable member based on gear-positioninformation of an additional derailleur which is a separate derailleurfrom the bicycle derailleur, and the third moving speed is lower thanthe first moving speed.
 27. The bicycle derailleur according to claim25, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor unit, ifthe gear-region information satisfies a first adjustment condition, tomove the movable member relative to the base member at the first movingspeed by a first adjustment distance, and the controller is configuredto control the motor unit to move the movable member relative to thebase member at the second moving speed by a first return distance aftermoving the movable member by the first adjustment distance, and thefirst return distance is based on the over-stroke information.
 28. Thebicycle derailleur according to claim 27, wherein the first moving speedis higher than the second moving speed.
 29. The bicycle derailleuraccording to claim 27, wherein the first moving speed is lower than thesecond moving speed.
 30. The bicycle derailleur according to claim 25,wherein the controller is configured to control the motor unit, if thegear-region information satisfies a second adjustment condition, to movethe movable member relative to the base member at the second movingspeed by a second adjustment distance, and the controller is configuredto control the motor unit to move the movable member relative to thebase member at the first moving speed by a second return distance aftermoving the movable member by the second adjustment distance, and thesecond return distance is based on the over-stroke information.
 31. Thebicycle derailleur according to claim 30, wherein the first moving speedis higher than the second moving speed.
 32. The bicycle derailleuraccording to claim 30, wherein the first moving speed is lower than thesecond moving speed.
 33. The bicycle derailleur according to claim 17,wherein a first direction operating time is defined from a timing atwhich the motor unit starts to move the movable member relative to thebase member from the second gear position toward the first gear positionin the first shifting direction to a timing at which the motor unitstops moving the movable member at the first gear position, a seconddirection operating time is defined from a timing at which the motorunit starts to move the movable member relative to the base member fromthe first gear position toward the second gear position in the secondshifting direction to a timing at which the motor unit stops moving themovable member at the second gear position, and the first directionoperating time is different from the second direction operating time.34. A method of controlling a bicycle derailleur, comprising:controlling a motor unit to move a movable member relative to a basemember in a first shifting direction at a first moving speed; andcontrolling the motor unit to move the movable member relative to thebase member in a second shifting direction at a second moving speeddifferent from the first moving speed, the second shifting directionbeing an opposite direction of the first shifting direction.